By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

HOUSTON, TX–MAY 24, 2026–Sam Houston Race Park hosted a series of standout performances over the weekend as several of the meet’s richest futurity and derby trials began to take shape.

On Thursday, Royalist delivered a notable effort by breaking the 13-year-old track record in the Grade 3 Sam Houston Derby trials.  Meanwhile, homebreds showcased their prowess in the inaugural Sam Houston Oaks trials and leading third-year sire Chilitos dominated the Colors of Houston Futurity program.

On Friday, a rare occurrence unfolded in the final race of the evening as a triple dead heat for first place was accompanied by an additional dead heat for fifth.

First Tartanero Jess, a first-time starter, scored in his debut under pickup rider Angel Fierro. Sunny Boi with jockey Olvin Martinez and Noah Moon under Francisco Giles completed the triple dead heat, with both runners breaking their maidens in their third career starts. There was also a dead heat for fifth between Sanremo and The King Karver.

On Saturday night, a competitive group of juveniles battled for spots in the Grade 2 Sam Houston Futurity, led by fast qualifier Coronas First Cowboy.

Sam Houston Race Park also posted strong wagering gains during the May 21-23, 2026 live racing weekend. Increased fan participation from the Character Derby and Cosplay entertainment events, combined with a major rise in simulcast wagering, fueled significant handle increases compared to the same three-day period in 2025.

Thursday’s total handle climbed from $323,219 to $559,246, while on-track wagering improved from $42,847 to $50,688. Friday’s card generated total wagering of $511,318, up from 2025, before Saturday’s closing program added another increase with $537,620 total wagered.

For the full three-day period, Sam Houston Race Park handled $1,608,184 in wagering, up from $1,171,804 in 2025, an increase of more than 37 percent.

Buoyed by strong fan participation throughout the weekend and expanding national simulcast interest, the track generated more than $1.42 million in off-track wagering while continuing to show solid support from its on-track audience during the May 21-23 racing weekend.

The ten fastest qualifiers from the Grade 2, $74,900 Colors of Houston Futurity and $20,000 Juvenile trials will return for the June 6 final. That evening will also feature the Grade 2, $30,000-added Colors of Texas Paint Maturity.

Finalists from the $655,100 Sam Houston Futurity-G2, $234,050 Sam Houston Derby-G3, and the inaugural running of the $176,250 Sam Houston Oaks will return for their respective finals on June 13.

The closing night stakes program will also include the Willie Hickman Memorial Stakes-G2, Jesse Yoakum Memorial 870 Stakes-G3, Governors Cup Marathon-G3, Sam Houston 550 Stakes-G3, Miss Sam Houston Stakes, and the Sam Houston 250 Stakes to conclude the Quarter Horse season at Sam Houston Race Park.

$655,100 SAM HOUSTON FUTURITY-G2 QUALIFIERS
Ten trials were contested on Saturday to determine the field for the Grade 2, $655,100 Sam Houston Futurity. By the end of the evening, it was Coronas First Cowboy who emerged at the top of a highly competitive group of juveniles.

The son of champion Flying Cowboy 123 delivered the fastest qualifying time in the second trial, outdueling Bad Boy 123 through the final strides to secure the top spot. Over a sloppy surface, Coronas First Cowboy covered the 350 yards in :17.575 seconds while earning a 96 speed index.

Luis Vivanco had the mount aboard the Marc Jungers-trained colt for owner Antonio Mercado. Bred by Paragon Farms LLC, Coronas First Cowboy entered the trials off a fifth-place effort in the Texas Breeders Futurity but showed a completely different dimension Saturday night with a determined performance against one of the strongest trial fields of the evening.

The $62,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate is out of champion and stakes winner Coronas First Diva, by Corona Cartel. With the victory, Coronas First Cowboy improved to three wins from four starts and pushed his earnings to $39,490.

Bad Boy 123 was narrowly denied the fastest qualifying mark but lost little in defeat after finishing just a head behind the top qualifier while recording the second-fastest time of :17.586 seconds, also earning a 96 speed index.

The colt was ridden by Nestor Duran for owner Reynaldo Munoz and trainer Bobby Muniz Pena. Bred by Kylee Habeck, Bad Boy 123 is another son of Flying Cowboy 123 and is out of the stakes-winning Tres Seis mare Three Past Six.

A $72,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate, the colt was making only his second career start and immediately established himself as a major contender heading into the finals.

DK Bonita Jess added another strong performance to her resume with a victory in the eighth trial that secured the third-fastest qualifying time of the evening. The daughter of world champion Apollitical Jess stopped the timer in :17.652 seconds for a 94 speed index under Nestor Duran, who was aboard five finalist returning to the finals.

Owned by CH Horse Racing LLC and trained by Miguel Pizana, DK Bonita Jess was bred by Cuadra La Presita and sold for $120,000 at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

The filly entered the trials off a runner-up finish in the Grade 2 Louisiana Downs Futurity and continued to strengthen her standing among the division’s leading fillies. She is out of the stakes-winning Corona Cartel mare Marney Jo. Saturday’s effort improved DK Bonita Jess’ record to three wins from six starts with earnings climbing to $62,211.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LIST OF SAM HOUSTON FUTURITY QUALIFIERS

$234,050 SAM HOUSTON DERBY [G3]
Three trials were contested Thursday for the Grade 3, $234,050 Sam Houston Derby, with the 10 fastest qualifiers advancing to the finals.

Royalist delivered the standout performance of the night by setting a new track record for the 400-yard distance. Ridden by Luis Vivanco, the colt posted the fastest qualifying time in the final trial. Despite a troubled start and trailing in second for most of the race, Royalist made a strong late push at the wire to win by a neck in 19.346 seconds, clocking a 115 speed index.

Owned by Hector Reina and trained by Ben Olaveson, Royalist is out of Zigfield Follies by One Famous Eagle. The Corona Cartel colt was bred by Veronica Gail Kawananakoa and sold for $120,000 at the Los Alamitos Equine Sale. A finalist in the Grade 2 EVD Futurity last season, he improved his record to two wins and three seconds from eight starts while increasing his earnings to $43,259.

The previous track record of :19.430, was set by Surprise Ending in 2012.

Eagle On A June Bug also finished under the track record mark while recording the second-fastest qualifying time in the same trial. Sent off as the post-time favorite, the gelding led from the gate before being caught in the final strides by Royalist.

Owned by Sergio Jimenez and Enrique Santollo, Eagle On A June Bug was ridden by H. Javier Hernandez and trained by Victor Oviedo. The son of Eagles Fly Higher stopped the timer in :19.381 seconds for a 114 speed index.

Bred by Robert Moudy III, Eagle On A June Bug is out of Sandy June Bug by Blushing Bug. The $20,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate added another strong effort to his résumé after already compiling five wins and multiple graded stakes placings from nine starts, with earnings now totaling $270,456.

Litenin secured the third-fastest qualifying mark after taking the opening trial under Victor Manuel Urieta, Jr. for owner Rene Roman and trainer Janessa Lee Muniz. The Class King gelding covered the distance in :19.660 seconds while earning a 107 speed index.

Bred by Bullard Farms, Litenin is out of Fleet Elis by Fishers Dash. The gelding improved his record to three wins and three thirds with earnings of $62,360 from nine career starts.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LIST OF SAM HOUSTON DERBY [G3] QUALIFIERS

$176,250 SAM HOUSTON OAKS
Homebred runners made a strong statement in Thursday’s inaugural $176,250 Sam Houston Oaks Trials, sweeping the top three qualifying spots and accounting for seven of the 10 finalists advancing to the finals.

Bludz Valiant Policy was the fastest qualifier after a dominant performance in the opening trial. Ridden by Victor Manuel Urieta, Jr. for owner/breeder Three Bar T Quarter Horses and trainer Ben Olaveson, the Apollitical Blood filly pulled away to a 4 1/2-length victory while stopping the clock in :19.737 seconds for a 105 speed index.

Out of BP Tres Policies by Tres Seis, Bludz Valiant Policy improved her record to four wins from six starts and boosted her bankroll to $56,720. The victory also marked her first return to a stakes final since last season’s Dash For Cash Futurity (G2).

This Eagles A Leader secured the second-fastest qualifying time with a strong rebound effort after a troubled finish in the John Buchanan Memorial earlier this month. Under Gilberto Linares, the daughter of This Is An Eagle captured her trial in :19.858 seconds and earned a 102 speed index for owner/breeder Pete Scarmardo and trainer John Stinebaugh.

Out of Cartel Leader by Corona Cartel, the $24,000 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale graduate now owns a 2-2-1 record from 10 starts with earnings of $26,681.

Karma Cha Ching also used the trials to bounce back from her effort in the John Buchanan Memorial, where she finished fourth. The Pa Cha Ching filly responded with a trial victory under Luis Vivanco for owner/breeder Sarah Huskey and trainer Esteban Rubio, posting the third-fastest qualifying time of :19.897 seconds and a 101 speed index.

Out of Marthas First Corona by Tinys First Corona, Karma Cha Ching has earned $29,202 while qualifying to multiple stakes finals in nine career starts.

CLICK HERE FO COMPLETE LIST OF SAM HOUSTON OAKS QUALIFIERS

$74,900 COLORS OF HOUSTON FUTURITY [G2]
Leading third-year sire Chilitos dominated the Grade 2 Colors of Houston Futurity Trials, siring eight of the 10 finalists, including the four fastest qualifiers from the two trial heats contested for Paint and Appaloosa juveniles.

Miss Chilitos led the powerful sire showing with the fastest qualifying time after rallying strongly through the final strides of the second and final trial. Under jockey Oliver Martinez, the filly drew clear late to defeat TC Abanero by three-quarters of a length while covering the 300 yards in :15.405 seconds for a 97 speed index.

Owned by Edgar Rivera Hernandez and trained by Jose Martinez, Miss Chilitos was bred by Connie Nobles out of the Stoli mare Tahiti Evening and sold for $13,500 at the TQHA Yearling Sale. The victory improved her record to two wins from three starts with $16,050 in the bank.

TC Abanero also turned in a standout effort in the same trial, recording the second-fastest qualifying time while making his career debut. The colt stopped the clock in :15.553 seconds for a 92 speed index under Nestor Duran.

Bred by Toribio Carillo, TC Abanero races for Chile Piquin Partnership and trainer Zackery Rios. The $12,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate is out of Take Of Helene FMF by First Moonflash.

JVM Hot Victoria secured the third-fastest qualifying mark after remaining undefeated with a one-length victory in the opening trial. Ridden by Rosendo Pina Garcia for owner/breeder Juan Leon and trainer Wendy Alejandra Garcia, she completed the distance in :15.592 seconds for a 91 speed index.

Out of Victoria Camila by Gol To Go, JVM Hot Victoria was a $7,500 repurchase at the TQHA Yearling Sale and has now has two wins from three starts with $15,140 in earnings.

CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE LIST OF COLORS OF HOUSTON FUTURITY [G2] QUALIFIERS

$20,000 COLORS OF HOUSTON JUVENILE
The Juvenile division will be headed by This Cowboys An Eagle, who posted the fastest qualifying time for the $20,000 Colors of Houston Juvenile after finishing fifth in the final trial. The colt covered the 300 yards in :15.919 seconds for an 80 speed index.

Bred by Sandra Garnett, This Cowboys An Eagle is owned by Jesus Molina and trained by Joseph Manucy. The son of This Is An Eagle is out of the Awesome Chrome mare Camo Cowgirl and was making only his second career start Thursday night.

Three Juvenile qualifiers were sired by Chilitos, including the second-fastest qualifier, Chilita Especial, further capping a dominant night for the stallion after he accounted for eight finalists in the Futurity division.

CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE LIST OF COLORS OF HOUSTON JUVENILE QUALIFIERS

About Sam Houston Race Park
Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles northwest of downtown Houston. Owned by Penn Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ – PENN), the racetrack, which opened in 1994, offers a variety of attractions for businesses, group outings, and families during racing and the off-season. The track is best known for its award-winning dining. It features multiple areas for fans looking for casual to upscale dining options including its Winner’s Circle Restaurant, Jockey Club, Luxury Suites and Pavilion Centre. For more information or tickets to upcoming live racing, concerts and events, please visit www.shrp.com or follow on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok or YouTube.

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